The physical therapist in this position serves as a member of the VANTHCS Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The physical therapist is responsible for providing direct patient care and therapy services in a outpatient setting for a range of neuromuscular, orthopedic, and mobility conditions.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: The physical therapists at this level may be given general assignments in any/all areas where physical therapy services are deemed necessary, and/or may serve as the sole PT at a less complex clinic. At the full performance level, PTs are responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. As independent practitioners, licensed physical therapists embrace evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis, examination, management, intervention, treatment and outcome measurement. Duties performed include, but are not limited to, the following: Perform examinations and evaluations of adult and geriatric individuals with acute and chronic injuries, who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems Evaluates and recommends appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals the therapist treats. Collaborates with nursing and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to facilitate the operation of the ward/unit/clinic to meet common goals. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, rounds, family conferences and other meetings as needed. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to treatment and towards meeting established goals. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated. Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Documents patient care services timely with 24 hours. Has knowledge and understanding of the operation and safety of all equipment currently utilized in Physical Therapy clinic. Manages and coordinates schedules and programs determined by patient caseload. Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and patients in assigned clinical setting. Participates in Process Improvement activities related to Program VII, PM&R, and VANTHCS. Assists in ordering adequate supplies and maintaining inventory for assigned clinic Provides clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral Physical Therapy Programs or Physical Therapists Assistant programs. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 07:30 am - 4:00 pm M-F PRN weekend and Holiday coverage as needed Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy AND five (5) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Master's degree in Physical Therapy AND two (2) years of progressively independent experience as a physical therapist. Doctorate degree in physical therapy. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited college or university. The CAPTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level physical therapy programs. Verification of accredited programs may be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at www.apta.org Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign physical therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a full unrestricted and current license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Licensure. Individuals hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. NOTE. Individuals who have or have had multiple licenses and had any such license revoked for professional misconduct, professional incompetency or substandard care, or who surrendered such license after receiving written notice of potential termination of such license by the state for professional misconduct, professional incompetence, or substandard care, are not eligible for appointment to the position unless such revoked or surrendered license is fully restored (38 U.S.C 7402(f)). Loss of Credential. A PT who fails to maintain the required license must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation, if qualified, and if a placement opportunity exists. English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-11: GS-11 - Entry Level - None beyond the basic requirements. Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. To qualify for the GS-12: Education, Experience and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, hold a valid unrestricted state license and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat patients who seek physical therapy services. Skilled in performing examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems while considering the effects attributable to unique psychosocial and environmental factors. Ability to interpret findings from examination and evaluation, select appropriate test and measures, and integrate findings into the physical therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Ability to establish a diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy and identify the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Ability to determining physical therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence. Independently provide clinical oversight of Physical Therapy Assistants as well as students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral Physical Therapy Programs or Physical Therapy Assistant Programs. Preferred Experience: Two or more years of experience in an outpatient rehabilitation in outpatient clinic setting Evaluating for acute and/or chronic injuries to include systems review and impairments of musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, pain management, integumentary, etc. Supervising physical therapy or physical therapy assistant (PTA) students. References: VA Handbook 5005/99, Part II, Appendix G12. Physical Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0633 dated February 7, 2018. Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Up to 4-6 hours of the following: sitting, walking, standing, twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, reaching overhead, grasping and pinching with hands and fine manipulation, such as typing/keyboarding. Up to 1-2 hours of the following: straight pulling, puling hand over hand, pushing, climbing and kneeling. Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds). Required functional hearing with/without hearing aids, Near vision correctable at 13-16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, the ability to use both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Use of fingers, both hands and use of both legs. Sitting is required for meetings, administrative work and occasionally driving motor vehicle most of the day. The ability to drive is required. The position demands significant physical stress and strain such as transferring patients, crouching and crawling on mats, and occasionally defending self against combative patients assigned to the incumbent. Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity, to evaluate and treat patients, and to use computer, keyboard, monitor, phone, etc. Work is performed in the clinics, wards, exercise areas, office and conference rooms, occasionally in the home. May be exposed to infectious diseases, medical and psychiatric emergencies.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: Delisha Cameron
• Phone: 202-316-3570
• Email: [email protected]